[Donnie]

Originally Posted by Icegaze

But I must admit that after reading the OP, I'm starting to see Donny in a different light.

Thanks, Icegaze! Glad you're seeing the light!

Adding to my initial post, I read in the Leonardo thread some stories that mirror my own - purple is my favorite color to this day, and there's no doubt in my mind it became my favorite color because I picked Donatello as my favorite Turtle as a kid. It was cool to read that some other members had a similar tale, only with their respective favorite.

I've been idolizing/looking up to/trying to be like Donny since I was a kid. I'm still influenced by his character. Actually, I think my love for earth science was triggered by my love for the character. I don't think it's silly at all to idolize a fictional character. They are ideals to live up to in a suspicious and immoral world. Our connection to them mentally makes them more alive to me than many things that are supposed to be "real."

Originally Posted by Powder

Most especially because you're imagining it to an extent.

Although I will admit that I exaggerate this aspect of Donatello because I like it so much, I am definitely not imagining it. Of course, Donny is naturally more scientific and the most skeptical of the bunch. However, there are plenty of instances that show Donny to be of the spiritual variety, too - some examples to prove my point would be in the Secret of the Ooze, like I mentioned in the first post - Donny's feeling inadequate and wanting to be "special" is by all means a spiritual dilemma. In the Mirage comics, v.1 #37 speaks for itself, and v.2 #1 does the trick. Even Image was going to give Donny a spiritual arc.

Donatello's immense love for animals is another aspect of his personality worth talking about, and I meant to mention it in my first post. It ties into his spirituality. He has admitted that he loves all animals, regardless if they are trying to kill him or not (see Tales #29). On page 1 of Tales #18, you can clearly see Donny's love for his "kin" - a baby slider. He is talking to it, establishing a connection to it, and calling it "sweetie." These displays of animal affection channel through the spiritual side of things rather than the scientific, at least in my eyes. So although I may sometimes exaggerate his spiritual side, I'm not just making it up, either.

Originally Posted by Herald7

I think they were trying to make him seem like the more thoughtful yet awkward one in the group. For instance he insists on taking his time before coming up with the appropriate victory cheer, and even when he does finally pick one, it's kind of bizarre, lol. Plus the actor in the suit was constantly holding or tapping his chin, again giving the impression that Donatello's always thinking.

Good point, I would agree with this assessment.